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Fresh

The Tomatometer is 60% or higher.

Rotten

The Tomatometer is 59% or lower.

Certified Fresh

Movies and TV shows are Certified Fresh with a steady Tomatometer of 75% or
higher after a set amount of reviews (80 for wide-release movies, 40 for
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Gabriel Byrne

Whereas many stars are bitten by the acting bug early in life, Gabriel Byrne did not become interested in the craft until he was in his late twenties. Since then, he has worked steadily as a leading and supporting actor in a wide variety of Hollywood and international films, gaining a reputation as one of th e most reliably solid performers on either side of the Atlantic. As a youth, the Dublin-born and bred actor aspired to become a Catholic priest. He was thus sent to a seminary in England, where he studied for four years. His time there came to an abrupt end after the 16-year-old Byrne was caught smoking and expelled. Upon returning to Ireland, he worked at assorted jobs, eventually receiving a scholarship to Dublin's University College. After studying linguistics and archeology, Byrne worked as an archeologist for three years and then taught Spanish and Gaelic at a Catholic girls school for four years. During his teaching tenure, Byrne appeared in an amateur theatrical production and was good enough to attract the interest of an actor from the highly regarded Abbey Theatre, who encouraged him to try acting professionally.After appearing in a few more community theater productions, Byrne became a member of the Abbey Theatre. He also began to work in television, and in 1979 made his film debut in The Outsider. Although his film roles were steady -- albeit small -- TV was where he was most recognizable, particularly thanks to his work in the popular Irish series Bracken. Another notable television role was that of Christopher Columbus in an American miniseries of the same name. Byrne's film career during the 1980s was decidedly uneven. Although there were a few hits, such as the 1981 Excalibur, the number of misses was substantial. One of those misses was the 1987 film Siesta, in which he starred opposite Ellen Barkin. Although the film failed to do well, it did result in a marriage between Byrne and his co-star. The two married in 1988, and during the course of their marriage they collaborated on one film, the children's adventure Into the West (1993). They divorced in 1993.Byrne's film career did not take flight until he starred as an Irish mobster in the Coen brothers' memorable Miller's Crossing (1990). The film helped to establish him as an actor to be taken seriously, and since 1993 -- when he starred in The Point of No Return -- Byrne has enjoyed steady work, appearing in three to four films per year, notably, Little Women (1994), Dead Man (1995), The Usual Suspects (1995), Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997), and The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), in which he and Jeremy Irons, Gérard Depardieu, and John Malkovich starred as the Three Musketeers. In 1999, Byrne starred as a priest asked to investigate the case of a woman (Patricia Arquette) who has developed Christ-like wounds in Stigmata. That same year, he took on an entirely different role, playing Satan himself in the action-thriller End of Days.In 2000 Byrne had a huge success on Broadway as the lead in a revival of Moon for the Misbegotten, a role which earned him a Tony nomination. The next year he had a major role in David Cronenberg's psychological drama Spider. He continued to work steadily in projects including the 2004 adaptation of Vanity Fair, and got good notices for his work in 2006's Jindabyne. In 2008 he took the lead part as the psychiatrist on HBO's In Treatment, a role that earned him a pair of nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Quotes from Gabriel Byrne's Characters

A little indulgence heighten our existence on this miserable earth. Nights of the mind, the imagination.

Lord Byron:

Terror has an irresistible beauty, Shiloh.

The Man:

Let me tell you something about Him. He is the biggest underachiever of all time. He just has a good publicist, that's all.

The Man:

How do you expect to defeat me when you are but a man, and I am forever?

Murphy:

These Italian liners, ya know, they couldn't compete for speed, so they built these floating art palaces instead.

Murphy:

I do know one thing, I've seen strange things happen in the strait. But, I know something else. Sea gives you an opportunity, you take it.

Merlin:

You betrayed the duke. You stole his wife. You took hist castle; now no one trusts you. It's not for you, Uther-- hearth and home, wife and child.

Uther:

To kill, and be king? Is that all?

Merlin:

Perhaps not even that. Give me the child.

Tom Reagan:

What's goin' on between you and Bernie?

Mink:

Nothin', Tom. We're just friends--you know, amigos.

Tom Reagan:

You're a fickle boy, Mink. If the Dane found out you had another "amigo"--well, I don't peg him for the understanding type.

Tom Reagan:

You're a fickle boy, Mink. If the Dane found out you had another 'amigo'--well, I don't peg him for the understanding type.

Dean Keaton:

Do your friend a favor. Tell him to keep quiet.

Eddie Dane:

Where did you get the fat lip?

Tom Reagan:

Old war wound. Acts up around morons.

Kayley:

Father do you really have to go?

Lionel:

I'm afraid I must Kayley you know the King's Knights will be here soon.

Kayley:

Tell me again why you became a Knight

Juliana:

Kayley! You've heard it a thousand times!

Lionel:

Oh but it's find dear. Well my daughter before you were born the land was dark and treacherous. The people stood divided brother fighting brother. The one hope for peace was in the legendary sword Excalibur. For it was said whoever could pull this ancient sword from it's stone would become king and unite the people. Many tried all failed. Then on the very day that you were born a unknown hero stepped forth. His name was Arthur, and he was that true king. With Excalibur at his side he led us out of the darkness. And together we built the greatest kingdom on earth. Everyone rejoiced.

Kayley:

Camelot!

Lionel:

(Holding up his shield) And so these three rings represent the unity of our kingdom. As a Knight I took a oath. To protect, Camelot, King Arthur, and Excalibur.

Kayley:

The Knights are here!

Lionel:

I must go now Kayley the King has called his Knights for a special day in Camelot

Kayley:

I'm coming with you Daddy!

Lionel:

Yes when you're old enough Kayley. I will take you to Camelot I promise! I love, you!

Kayley:

One day I will be a Knight, like Father.

Verna:

I bet you think you've raised hell...

Tom Reagan:

Sister...when I've raised hell you'll know it.

The Man:

[Satan bumps into a skateboarder who is wearing a "Satan Rules" shirt] Hey kid, nice shirt.

The Man:

[Satan bumps into a skateboarder who is wearing a 'Satan Rules' shirt] Hey kid, nice shirt.

Skateboarder:

[Looks Satan up and down] Fuck you man. [Skates into the road]

The Man:

[Whispers] Hey Kid.

The Man:

[the skateboarder looks around and gets hit by a bus]...Nice shirt.

Bernie Bernbaum:

Look in your heart! Look in your heart!

Tom Reagan:

What heart?

Leo:

Oh, come on Tommie. You know I don't like to think.

Tom Reagan:

Yeah, well think about whether you should start.

Verna:

I don't know Leo's business but he's a big boy.

Tom Reagan:

He used to be.

Uther:

You don't understand...you not a man. Use the magic. Do it!

Uther:

You don't understand... you not a man. Use the magic. Do it!

The Man:

For a thousand years you've waited for my return. Behold, you have failed. And with your dying breath, you will bear witness to the End of Days.

Tom Reagan:

I wouldn't worry so much if I thought you were worrying enough.

D'Artagnan:

Anne, to love you is treason against France. But not to love you is treason against my heart.

Tom Reagan:

If you want me to keep my mouth shut, it's gonna cost you some dough. I figure a thousand bucks is reasonable, so I want two.

Tom Reagan:

Tell Leo he's not God on the throne, he's just a cheap political boss with more hair tonic than brains.